Sunday, 16 June 2013

WHY CHOOSE GREENKID STAINLESS STEEL BOTTLES?

GreenKid Stainless Steel Bottles

Why Stainless Steel?

Many elements contained in plastic can be dangerous to your baby’s health. Many leading bottle brands include a BPA free alternative and while this is a safer option, it does not address the other toxic and dangerous elements found in plastic. Even BPA-free bottles may STILL leach phthalates and other toxic elements into your baby’s milk, especially when heated, frozen or scratched. Babies and young children are most at risk due to their undeveloped endocrine systems.

Stainless steel is the safe, non leaching, non-toxic and durable answer! It is also 100% recyclable, unlike plastic.

What is BPA and what are Phthalates?

Bisphenol A is the most common chemical used in plastic and is the main building block in polycarbonate. It is a powerful endocrine disruptor which can mimic the body’s own hormones to an alarming degree. Many bottle brands misleadingly advertise as being BPA free. To meet European BPA free standards there only needs to be a LOW level of BPA and not a total removal. This is truly an offence on the unwitting consumer. *Please note that there are bottle brands that truly are 100% BPA free. That said there are numerous new concerns that there are other toxins present in BPA free bottles.

Babies are most sensitive to Bisphenol A due to their underdeveloped and very sensitive endocrine systems. Studies have even linked prenatal exposure to later neurological difficulties such as ADHD, depression and hyperactivity.

Infants and children are believed to have the highest daily intake of BPA due to the use of plastic baby bottles, sippy cups and plates. Effects on infants and children may include obesity; early onset of puberty, inadequate brain development and behavioural issues. Breast tissue development in boys, increased risk of breast cancer in girls, prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction has also been attributed to this nasty chemical.

Starting in 2008, several governments questioned the safety of this compound, prompting worldwide scientific research into the effects of BPA. A 2010 report from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raised further concerns regarding exposure of foetuses, infants, and young children.[1] In September 2010, Canada became the first country to declare BPA a toxic substance.[2][3] In the European Union and Canada, BPA use is banned in baby bottles. Then, in July 2012, the FDA banned the use of BPA in all baby bottles and children’s drinking cups.[4]

Phthalates are chemical plasticizers used to soften plastics that would otherwise be brittle and crack when bent. Because phthalates are not chemically bound to the plastics they’re added to, they’re continuously released into the air, food or liquid.

Studies show that there is potential for phthalates to lower sperm production and cause anatomical abnormalities related to the male genitalia. There has also been a suggested link between phthalates and asthma, timing of puberty or the risk for childhood obesity, among others.

Are there any other hidden dangers in plastic?

There is growing concern regarding the other potentially toxic elements found in plastic e.g. BPS. By nature, plastic DOES leach chemicals and although there is not enough evidence YET to show that these are harmful to humans, studies are now being conducted to determine their safety.

Remember that 2 years ago BPA was regarded as 100% safe for human consumption. We believe that Plastic is dangerous to you and your babies health – it is simply not worth the risk. Our motto is Zero.Plastic!

Is there any plastic lining in my Green.Kid bottle?

The 18/8 stainless steel used in our bottles is 100% non-leaching, plastic-free, lead free and PVC free.

Some containers sold as stainless steel bottles may contain plastic liners which contain BPA and Phthalates. As this liner comes into direct contact with liquid, this defeats the object of using stainless steel altogether.

What about the materials used in the teat and cap?

The whole Green.Kid stainless range is 100% plastic free. Our teats and caps are crafted from silicone only which is completely safe, non-leaching and BPA free.

What about glass?

Although glass itself is safe with regards to BPA and dangerous elements, the plastic ring used to seal the top of most glass baby bottles is NOT. Glass can be dangerous for your baby or toddler to use due to breakage or chipping and is also extremely heavy when filled and carried around. Remember, toddlers love to throw things!

Stainless steel is as light, if not lighter than plastic and is virtually unbreakable, leaving it as the only truly usable alternative to plastic.